Jalen Brunson and the Knicks took game one over the Atlanta Hawks.
One game down, three more to go.
That was the case for the New York Knicks after pulling off a 113-102 win over the
Atlanta Hawks on Saturday to kick off round one of the 2026 playoffs. Jalen Brunson led the way with 28 points, mostly on the back of a scorching hot start to the game, Brunson scored 19 points in the first quarter alone while making his first six shots to start the game.
He cooled down dramatically in the second half, but the way that he began the game was more than enough to set the tone for the Knicks. After Brunson's hot start in the first quarter, he had just one field goal through the rest of the game, but his teammates were there to help pick up the slack.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) dribbles as Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) defends during the second half of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesKnicks Supporting Cast
Karl-Anthony Towns followed suit with 25 points, 19 of which came in the second half. OG Anunoby followed with 18 points and Josh Hart added 11 points and 14 rebounds.
Having the whole team involved is important in any winning NBA effort, but even more so in the playoffs with the stakes so much higher. With Brunson cooling off in the second half, the Knicks needed the rest of the team to get involved and they more than delivered.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) shoots the ball against the Atlanta Hawks during the first quarter of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images"It's really important. You never know what's going to happen," Brunson said (via SNY_Knicks). "Be able to fight through and still be find a way to impact is very important for us, especially at this point in the season. No matter what, you've got to think positive, be positive and fight through anything."
Making Winning Plays
Even if Brunson wasn't scoring as much late in the game, he found other ways to help winning on the court. He added five rebounds and seven assists to his 28 points and finished the game with a +5 differential.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) reacts after a basket against the Atlanta Hawks during the first quarter of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesStar power is obviously the driving force that most look to when it comes to winning basketball and the history of the NBA playoffs is decorated with now-iconic performances from the biggest names in the sport, Brunson included, but it truly does take a team to win a championship.
Outlasting the lows of the game becomes much easier when there's an entire team behind you filling out any gaps that may have been created. Brunson is poised to show out even more this postseason, but he has security in the knowledge that he has the support of the Knicks' talented roster behind him.